Why Chinese Women Rarely Get Breast Cancer?

Just the thought of breast cancer is scary, and it is a problem which troubles women all around the world.

What may make you raise your eyebrows is that women in Asian countries like China have lower incidents of this illness. Dietary preferences may explain this phenomenon.

But what is breast cancer?

Simply said, mammary cancer occurs when cells in the breast turn rogue. They grow fast, in that way forming tumors which a doctor can usually be detected by a mammogram or with X-ray of the chest area. Even though these tumors are common in women, they may also develop in men.

Malignant tumors which start in the milk duct, or ductal carcinomas, are the most familiar type of breast cancer. Cancers that arise in the lobules, or lobular carcinomas, happen less.

Breast cancer begins with thickened tissue in the breast of a woman. What these cells form is usually called “lump”. The woman may feel a sting in her armpits which has no links with her menstrual period. Her skin may redden, and a rash may also develop around her nipples. Discharge may flow from one of them too.

What raises the risk of breast cancer?

While experts still cannot pinpoint the causes of breast cancer, they can identify what puts a woman at risk of developing it. Your tendency to contract it is high if you have the following attributes. Your propensity for breast cancer will also increase when you are older. Cancer usually develops in postmenstrual women rather than those that are younger.

80% of breast cancers happen in women that are over the age of 50.

Genetics, as well as family history, may determine the likelihood of getting the Big C. If someone of your close relatives has it, the risk of you contracting it is also high. Saying this, breast cancers are common, and a majority of them are not hereditary. The possibility of breast cancer may also rise if at some period of your life you have had benign breast lumps. What they usually include is a lobular carcinoma, as well as atypical ductal hyperplasia. If they develop once again, there is a likelihood of them metastasizing.

Moreover, women that have high levels of estrogen are more likely than their peers to have breast tumors. If you had your periods earlier than other women your age, you should be alert to this. What may decide whether in some period of your life you will get breast cancer or not is how heavy you are. Women that are obese menopausal are actually more likely than those that are slimmer, to develop growths in their mammary glands. They usually tend to produce higher levels of estrogen.

One interesting thing to note is that taller women are more prone to breast cancer than those that are shorter, though experts still have to establish the reason for this. Those women that consume more alcohol also have a higher risk of developing breast cancer than others. So, if you want to kick cancer to the curb, just one alcoholic beverage daily is the limit.

As a result of increased levels of estrogen, as well as progesterone in the female body, breast cancer develops. HRT or Hormone Replacement Therapy may also contribute to the development of tumors. Those women that need to replace estrogen in their bodies are more likely than other to contract the disease. Combined estrogen and progesterone therapy will increase their risk.

The diet factor: Why Chinese women are less likely to develop breast cancer than other women in the world?

These risk factors aside, the diet of a woman may be one of the biggest reasons for getting breast cancer. A renowned professor of geochemistry, named Jane Plant received a breast cancer diagnosis from her gynecologist. After that, she decided to put up a fight against the disease.

Her husband, who worked in China, found that the breast cancer rates were much lower there than in some Western countries. Both, the man and the woman discovered that Chinese diets comprised only 14% of fat, compared with Western diets, which contained about 36% fat. Then, Jane realized that few Chinese ate dairy produce.

After that, she started to follow a revolutionary diet plan which changed her fate for the best. She replaced high – fat dairy products with low – fat cheese and skimmed milk.

After her first session of chemotherapy, the lump in her breast remained the same size. She removed dairy from her diet, and it shrank after the second session. After her third chemo session, it vanished – it was a phenomenon which astounded the specialists at Charing Cross hospital.

Her experience brings to mind that the dietary choices could be responsible for the onset of cancer. A low – fat diet does a lot in reducing the signs of the disease.

Say goodbye to breast cancer with the following ten low – fat foods.

The theory of Jane Plant may not be far off the mark. If we follow a low – fat diet as the Chinese do, we can keep breast cancer at a distance. The following non-fattening foods will be of great help for you:

1. Mushrooms

Chinese people add a lot of mushrooms to their noodles and omelets. One study, published in the Chinese health journal PLoS One, revealed that a diet which is high in mushrooms can offer us protection from this disease. If you don’t like Chicken Chow Mien, you can add them to stews, as well as scrambled eggs or stir-fries.

2. Broccoli sprouts

These veggies are high in antioxidants. The Center for Cancer Research has found that one of them, Sulforaphane, may target cancer growth. You can have them in sandwiches and salads too.

3. Pomegranates

Pomegranates are fruits which are high in ellagic acid, which is an antioxidant that may slow cancer development. Some scientists from the Beckman Research Institute have discovered that it restrains the enzymes which may cause breast cancer.

4. Lentils

The American Journal of Nutrition supports the theory of Jane Plant that dietary changes may help in stopping the development of breast cancer. Some researchers have studies the Asian diet, and they have found that legumes and soy contributed to lower rates of breast cancer. If you dislike stir – fried legumes, you should try a lentil burger. You may also substitute them with kale.

5. Walnuts

To prevent breast cancer, go nuts. That means, have handfuls of walnuts. Some scientists from the Marshall University School of Medicine in West Virginia have discovered that the Omega acids, phytoestrogens, as well as antioxidants in the walnuts, can control cancerous enzymes. You should be creative and add walnuts to soups, muffins or even in pizza.

6. Blueberries

“Lan Mei” is the Chinese name for these delightful fruits. Chinese people explain why their women prevent breast cancer from developing. A potent antioxidant in them, called Pterostilbene, causes cancerous cells to self – destruct. This fascinating process is also known as apoptosis. You should enjoy blueberries with yogurt and cereals.

7. Spinach

Those women that take in high amounts of folate have low breast cancer rates. Spinach contains lots of this vitamin B compound. So, if you want to enjoy this low – fat food as the Chinese do, you can fry spinach leaves with prawns and little soy sauce.

8. Eggs

Women prize eggs as they can control hair fall, as well as various skin conditions. The Choline in them helps with such ailments, and breast cancer is one of them too. According to one study, Choline ensures the proper functioning of the cells. Chinese people fry them with noodles and make slurp-worthy omelets with them too.

9. Salmon

Chinese people enjoy raw fish dishes every lunar New Year, and they could also explain why breast cancer rates among them are not significant. The vitamin D which salmon contains prevents “good” cells from turning rogue. Omega – 3 fats in this fish also stop the spread of cancerous cells in the breast to other parts of the body.

10. Rye and whole grains

If you don’t like the idea of raw salmon, you can eat more grain instead. The American Institute for Cancer Research has found that the lignans, as well as fiber, phytonutrients, minerals, and vitamins in grains, helped to stop cancer cells from spreading. So, you should eat rye bread with eggs, tomato or sprouts.

About the author

Ivana Kamenovic was born in Nis, Serbia. Since 2001 she has been a graduated chemist (PMF, Nis, Department of Chemistry), engaged in food analytics and water and in 2013 she became a specialist in sanitary chemistry at the Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Belgrade. Energetic, communicative and curious by nature.